Resolving Litigation: Lessons in Leadership from the Courtroom to Law Firm Management to Mediation, Law.com
As part of his ongoing Resolving Litigation series in Law.com, New Era CEO and Co-Founder Rich Lee talks with John Burke, a veteran Chicago litigator at Kreis Enderle, about what truly moves cases – and clients forward. John shares stories from his family’s legacy in the law, lessons from three decades in court, and how leadership—whether guiding young attorneys, running a law firm, or serving as a trusted adviser—shapes better outcomes. He also offers candid insights on transparency in litigation, the evolving role of ADR, and the importance of wearing both the advocate and counselor hats.
John shares his advice for younger litigators who want to be viewed by clients as trusted business advisors: “Two things. First, get out of the office and see the subject matter of your cases. In real estate litigation, that means walking the property, whether it’s a building, an easement, or a parcel of land. You can’t fully understand it until you’ve seen it yourself. Second, be curious about your client’s business. Visit their plant, tour their facility, learn how they operate. Business owners are proud to show you around, and it demonstrates that you care about more than the problem at hand. That curiosity builds trust, strengthens relationships, and often leads to new legal work. You may feel too busy, but time spent with clients at their business is really an investment in your career.”
Those same clients want predictability in costs, outcomes, and strategies, but litigation is uncertain. “It’s difficult to forecast total costs or outcomes at the start. The best thing you can do is communicate regularly and in detail. Give the client the case in bite-sized chunks. The worst thing is to surprise them.”
In the Q&A, John shares with Rich his perspective after serving as managing partner of Ice Miller and his philosophy on preparing younger attorneys to be great litigators. Looking back at his career, a through line has been his commitment to clients: “Educating the client on the role of a litigator. I tell clients upfront that I wear two hats: counselor and advocate. Many clients are influenced by the TV version of lawyers—dramatic trials, clever closings, and happy endings. They rarely see the counselor role. By making that clear upfront, I reduce surprises later and help them understand that being a trusted adviser sometimes means recommending settlement, not just charging into court.”
Subscribers to Law.com can read the full Q&A here.
